French's International Copyrighted (in England, Ij.ei:. Cqloni.es, and 
the United States} Edition of the Worka of tfie%est Authors 



THE PARTED SISTERS 

AN ALLEGORICAL PLAY 

(Theme: Panama Canal) 

irn Qnc Bet 



BY 

F. URSULA PAYNE, B.S. 

(Model Teacher, Brooklyn Traiuingr School for Teachers) 



Copyright, 1914, by Samuel French 



No permission is required to produce this plaj 



PRICE 25 CENTS 



New York 
SAMUEL FRENCH 

PUBLISHER 

28-30 WEST 38th STREET 



London 
SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 

26 Southampton Street 
STRAND 



THE PARTED SISTERS 



AN ALLEGORICAL PLAY 

(Theme: Panama Canal) 



f n ®nc act 



BY 

F. URSULA PAYNE, B.S. 

(Model Teacher, Brooklyn Training- School for Teachers) 



Copyright, 1914, by Samuel French 



• o permtssio 



n i$« required to produce this play. 



New York I London 

SAMUEL FRENCH ! SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd., 
publisher 26 Southampton Street 

28-30 WEST 38th Street STRAND 




©CI.D 3902: 

DEC 7 1914 

//; f / , 






THE PARTED SISTERS 



EXPLANATORY NOTE. 

The Parted Sisters is an allegorical play, dealing 
with the history of the Panama Canal. It requires 
no scenery. A large platform is desirable, but the 
play may be given on a small platform. The costumes 
should be carefully worked out, but need not be ex- 
pensive. Any performers over eleven years of age may 
present the play; it may be given by adults as well 
as by children. A brief reading about the Panama 
Canal may precede the performance, if desired. The 
play may be lengthened by a sprites' dance or song at 
the beginning. 

'' The Parted Sisters " was first presented by girls 
of an eighth year grade, in the Brooklyn Model 
School, April 30, 1914, and was later repeated by 
request, before the faculty and students of the 
Brooklyn Training School for Teachers. It was pro- 
nounced a success, and many have suggested its pub- 
lication. It was given again for the Alumnae 
Association of the Brooklyn Model School, May 28th, 
1914. 

Time : — About thirty minutes. 



THE PARTED SISTERS 



CHARACTERS. 

* Neptune 
Atlantic 
Pacific 
Spain 
Beitania 
Fkance 
United States 

* Indian 

* Balboa 

* COETEZ 

* Engineering 
Sanitation 

* Land Sprites {^even or more, — one, 

the leader) 

* Disease Imp 

Xote: — All the parts may be taken by girls^ or 
those starred (*) may be taken by boys. 

The play is allegorical. It requires no scenery. 
May be given out-of-doors. 

Time: — Thirty minutes. 



THE PARTED SISTERS 



COSTUMES. 

Neptune. Long robe, wide belt, long white hair 
and beard, crown ; trident in hand. 

Atlantic. Flowing robe, — white, green, blue and 
silver; white stockings, no shoes; hair hanging in 
waves, decorations of sea-beans, shells, etc. 

Pacific. Somewhat like Atlantic. Rather darker 
colors. If Atlantic is a blonde, Pacific may be a 
brunette, but this is not essential. 

Spain. White robe, crown, yellow and red scarf 
across shoulder. 

Britania. White robe, crown. Union Jack across 
shoulder. British flag in hand. 

France. WHiite robe, crown, French flag across 
shoulder. 

United States. A tall girl. White robe, crown 
of stars and stripes, large American flag draped over 
robe. 

Indian. Ordinary Indian costume, — ^band and 
feathers on head, moccasins on feet. 

Balboa. Armor, helmet and sword. Armor may 
be made of pasteboard and silver paper, fastened with 
paper-fasteners. 

CoRTEZ. Armor, helmet, cape and sword. 

Engineering. White trousers or skirt. Soldier's 
cap and cape. Small toy engine in hand. 

Sanitation. Full costume for trained nurse, red 
cross on arm, box of bandages, etc., atomizer. 

Land Sprites. (Seven or more, — one leading) 
Brown bloomers and loose coats, brown pointed caps, 
brown stockings (with or without slippers.) 

Disease Imp. Black bloomers and coat, black 
mask, black gloves. 



THE PARTED SISTERS 



Scene: — Isthmus of Panama. (No scenery re- 
quired.) 

(Enter, rear, Land Speites, dancing. Disease Imp 
accompanies them. Land Sprites advance in 
two lines, following a leader, thus:) 



o 


Disease 



Imp 


O 


o 




O 


o 



Leader 


O 



(They come with a swaying dance step, hands keeping 
the motion with feet, fingers pointing.) 

Leader of Sprites, (in chanting tone) 
Brave land sprites here you now behold, 

On Panama we firmly stand ; 
We^re keeping back the oceans bold, 
They must not wear away the land. 
All. 

They must not wear away the land. 
Leader. 

The ocean voices have not ceased; 
7 



8 THE PARTED SISTERS 

They keep their shores at our behest,— 
The great Atlantic on the east, 
The vast Pacific on the west. 
All. 

The vast Pacific on the west. 

(Music suggesting waves.) 

Leader. 

Hark ! Hark ! You hear the rolling wave ; 

Stand fast, Land Sprites ! Be brave ! Be brave ! 

(Land Sprites join hands, facing right and left, 
thus : ) 

o 

Neptune 



O 

Pacific 



o 

(Enter Atlantic and Pacific, followed hi/ 
Neptune. The oceans dance, while Neptune 
stands at rear.) 

Neptune, (coming forward) 

My two fair daughters ]')ve I well. 

Would that together they might dwell! 

Atlantic, noble, there must be, 

And here. Pacific I must see ; 

But neither one the other knows, 

These Land Sprites are their constant foes. 

Now I must off to eastern land, 

My other children to command. 

(Exit Neptune rear.) 













1 

I 





1 

5 





1 




1 


Atlantic 


i 




I 





THE PARTED SISTERS 

Atlantic, (speaking) 

In vain I beat upon the shore, 
Alone I live forevermore ! 
No sister soothes Atlantic's woe, 
I call in vain — Heigho ! Heigho ! 
Pacific Ocean, (echoing) 

Heigho ! Heigho ! 
Atlantic. 

Who answers? Hark! The voice I know! 
I'll call again ! Heigho ! Heigho ! 
Pacific. 

Heigho ! Heigho ! 
Atlantic. 

I will o'erleap this stubborn strand, 
And see what is beyond the land ! 

(Tries to pass Speites.) 

Sprites, (on left) 

Back ! Back ! Atlantic to your place ! 
No ocean shall this land deface ! 
Atlantic, (moaning) 

I cannot pass, 
Alas ! Alas ! 
Pacific. 

That voice again I clearly hear, 

rU flood the land and bring it near! 

(Tries to pass Sprites.) 

Sprites, (on right) 

Nay ! Nay ! Get back Pacific bold ! 

Your sister you shall ne'er behold ! 
Pacific. 

My sister ! Her I fain would know. 

To' touch her'hand I'll surely go! 
Sprites, (on right) 

Nay! Nay! Stand back and be content! 

Your raving strength in vain is spent! 



10 THE PARTED SISTERS 

(Indian music.) 

Leader of Sprites. 

Hist ! Mortal comes ! Beware ! Beware ! 
Of mortal power have a care ! 

(Sprites sit, hands clasping knees.) 

(Enter Indian center, stealing between Sprites. 
Indian music.) 

Atlantic. 

Brave Redman, lead me o'er the land, 
That I may reach the western strand; 
For my dear sister there will be, 
The spirit of the western sea. 

Indian. 

Stay back, sea-water, make no sound. 
This is the Redman's hunting-ground. 
Leave dry the pathway he must tread, — 
Great water, back within your bed! 
(Indian sits. Atlantic turns' away sorroivfulhj.) 

(Enter Spain, left.) 

Atlantic, (advancing to meet Spain) 

Fair Spain, a thousand years my friend. 

Some help, some aid, you now must lend ! 

My sister's voice is calling me. 

And I would fain her features see. 

Bid these bold sprites their rantings cease, 

That I may cross the land in peace. 

Spain. 

Ah, fair Atlantic, noble friend. 
With joy to you my help I'll lend. 
I'll call my sons ; they understand 
The way to conquer sea and land. 
What ho ! Balboa ! 

Leader of Sprites. 

Hist! Mortals come! Beware! Beware! 
Of mortal power have a care ! 



THE PARTED SISTERS 11 

(Sprites rise.) 

(Enter Balboa, clad in armor.) 
Spain. 

Balboa, cross this sandy lea, 

And brinof us word what there you see. 
Balboa, (saluting) 

I go, fair Spain, at your command, 

To find the secrets of the land. 

(He tvaves his sword. Sprites cower. He crosses to 
right hetiueen Sprites. He comes face to face 
with Pacific.) 

Balboa, (starting hack) 

What beauteous vision meets my eyes? 

The ocean waves before me rise ! 

How peaceful here the ocean seems. 

The great Pacific of my dreams! 
Pacific. 

Speak, noble mortal, strong and grand, 

What water lies be3'ond this land ? 
Balboa. 

The great iVtlantic breakers roar 

Upon the beach of yonder shore. 
Pacific. 

It is my sister, well I know. 

show me now the way to go ! 
Balboa. 

N"ay, ocean, that can never be. 

The land will e'er oppose the sea. 
(Pacific moans. Balboa returns to left.) 
Atlantic. 

Speak, mortal, what did you behold? 
Spain. 

Speak, son, the sight to us unfold! 
Balboa. 

A noble ocean peaceful lies. 

Out there beneath the western skies. 



12 THE PARTED SISTERS 

Atlantic, {eagerly) 

It is my sister ! Here I stand, 
And cannot even touch her hand ! 
Spain. 

Balboa, call Cortez, I pray. 
For he will surely find a way. 

(Exit Balboa, left.) 

Fret not, my sons are brave and true. 
And they some way will find for you. 

(Enter Cortez, left.) 

CORTBZ. 

You called, fair Mother. I am here. 
Spain. 

Behold our friend, Atlantic dear. 

Her sister ocean she would greet. 

And never do these oceans meet. 
(Cortez starts across, waving down Land Sprites. 
He attacks Indian, wlio runs out. Pacific is 
weeping.) 
Cortez. (to Pacific) 

Hail ! Hail, fair ocean princess, hail ! 

AVhat sorrow do you now bewail? 
Pacific. 

In vain I to my sister call ; 

I cannot pass beyond this wall ! 

Will you not help me, mortal strong? 
Cortez. 

Kay; to the west you must belong. 

I conquer men, not rock and sand ; 

You cannot pass beyond this land. 

Farewell, farewell, sweet ocean maid. 

Too long, too long I may have stayed. 
(Pacific turns aivag. Cortez crosses to left.) 

Atlantic, (eagerly) 



THE PARTED SISTERS 13 

What news? Can I my sister meet? 

COKTEZ. 

The land is firm beneath my feet. 
One way a passage can be found. 

(Atlantic and Spain eager.) 
By digging through this stubborn ground ! 

(Sprites laugh.) 

Spain, {sadly) 

Alas, my son, you speak in vain ! 
'Tis but a vision of your brain. 
I go, dear maid, to seek my home. 
I grow too old to westward roam. 
(Exit Spain, leaning on arm of Coetez.) 

Atlantic, {calling) 

Heigho ! Heigho ! 
Pacific, {echoing) 

Heigho ! Heigho ! 
Atlantic. Will no one come to cut the way? 
Sprites. You moan in vain ! Nay ! Nay ! Nay ! 
Nay ! 

{Enter Britania, left.) 

Atlantic. 

Britania, mighty nation of the sea, 
I pray you lend your power unto me ! 
Beyond this strand my sister long has grieved, 
And no one yet our meeting has achieved. 

Britania. {proudly) 

'Tis little can Britania's skill oppose : 
V\\ gladly help you to o'ercome your foes. 

Atlantic. Come then, and overcome each daring 
sprite. 

(Britania starts toivard Sprites. All cower, hut 
Disease, who rises, waving hands in air.) 



14 THE PARTED SISTERS 

Britania. 

Yet stop! What imp of blackness meets my 

sight ? 
This is, I see, the imp of foul disease. 
Nay ! Nay ! I cannot help the sister seas. 
This dreadful imp my sons will take from me. 
Alas! Atlantic, I refuse your plea. 
Farewell! Forget the longing of your heart, 
You and Pacific must yet live apart. 

{Exit Britania, left. Atlantic iveeps.) 
Sprites. 

Thy help has left thee, weep, fair sea, 
Thy sister ne'er shall come to thee. 

{Enter France, left.) 

Atlantic, {approaching eagerly) 

Great France, whose shores I oft caress, — 
Now help Atlantic in distress. 
France. What can I do to aid you, pray? 
Atlantic. 

Through this strong land now cut the way. 
Then I can greet my sister fair ; 
She calls me gently over there. 
Heigho ! Heigho ! 
Pacific. 

Heigho ! Heigho ! 
France. 

ril try; but this you boldly ask 
Is surely a stupendous task. 
• 

(Approaches Sprites. Disease rises slowly. France 
gasps and dravjs back, holding hands up in de- 
' fense.) 

What are these noisome mists I breathe? 
What deadly insects round me wreathe? 
Nay, pray forgive me, ocean great, 
I see no way to help your fate. 



THE PARTED SISTERS 15 

Farewell, another yet may do, 
In future years the deed for you. 

(Exit France, left.) 

Pacific. 

So lon^ the years I hear must wait, 
Yet none will ope this isthmus gate. 
Upon my northern shores the mines 
Reveal fair gold that brightly shines. 
Would I could with my sister share 
The glittering ore all bright and fair. 

(Enter Neptune, rear, left. He walks toward 
Atlantic.) 

Atlantic. 

Ah, Neptune, now I understand, 
My sister lives beyond this strand; 
Yet none I find to crush my foe 
That I my sister there may know. 

Neptune. 

Now, dear Atlantic, you forget, — 
United States may help you yet. 
Lo ! Here she comes, the queen of all, 
How strong, how brave, how fair and tall ! 

(United States has entered, left.) 

Atlantic, (falling on hnees) 

Great, great Columbia, see, Atlantic kneels; 

Your magic power e'en the ocean feels ! 

Pray listen now, unto a sea's request. 

For all things seem to move at your behest. 
United States. 

What would my fair Atlantic now demand? 
(Strokes Atlantic's hair.) 

I love to feel your waves beneath my hand. 

And what I can, for you I'll gladly do. 

Speak ! Tell me what it is you humbly sue. 



16 THE PARTED SISTERS 

Atlantic. 

My sister is beyond this strip of land. 

I beg of you to let me touch her hand. 
United States. 

^Tis fair Pacific whom you wish to greet. 

Full long I've wished you sisters here to meet ; 

And now my children grow so tall and great, 

Why not attempt to open here the gate ? 
Atlantic, (springing up) 

Then you will let me meet my sister dear ! 
United States. 

Wait. Not so fast. The way is not yet clear. 

One of. my sons I'll call. He'll know the way. 

And come, at my command, without delay. 
What ho ! Engineering ! 
(Enter Engineeeing, left.) 
Engineering. I come at your command United 

States. 
United States. Go, open here a path. Atlantic 
waits. 

(Engineering approaches Sprites. They cower, 
but Disease opposes him.) 

Engineering, (shrinlcing) 

With my machinery I can quickly quell 
All but one imp, who casts an awful spell. 
That imp, Disease, will all my blows evade. 
Unless I have fair Sanitation's aid.. 

United States. It shall be done ! Come Sanita- 
tion, ho ! 

(Enter Sanitation, carrying "" First-aid " hox, and 
atomizer.) 

Sanitation. I come, fair queen, all armed for the 
foe. 

United States. 

Go, fight with Engineering to the end, 

And through the stubborn foe a pathway send. 



THE PARTED SISTERS 17 

(Music. Engineering drives off Sprites, while 

Sanitation drives Disease. Sprites retreat, 

rear, and exit. Or they may lie down, leaving 
path.) 

(Sisters rush into each other s arms, center.) 

Pacific. 

How did you gain this pathway, sister dear? 
Atlantic. 

I did it not. 'Twas fair Columbia here. 

' Twould seem, dear sister, that the fates or- 
dain 

She shall be mistress of this western main. 

(Engineering and Sanitation left, Xeptune right, 
United States, center. Sisters in front.) 

United States. (TaUng hand of Engineering 
and Sanitation) 

And, with my children, I shall ever haste 
To quell whatever ills the land shall waste. 

Neptune. 

And all the western world must ever feel, 
Her wise protection and untiring zeal. 
She, who has joined my daughters happily, 
Will help the land as she has helped the f^ea. 
She knows no foeman whom she weakly fears. 
Then for United States awake the cheers ! 

(They cheer.) 

(Tableau. Curtain.) 

(Should there he no curtain, the remaining characters 

^ may withdraw slowly while music is played.) 




JUST PUBOSHED 

^* S T M O N ' ]a^^^^^^ ^^ CONGRESS ^' 

WILLIAM C. de MILLE'S GR] i ii |||i|(|||||^^^^ ^MA 

The story of " STRONGHEART. " is that of an Indian, namecll?Troriir- 
heart; the son of a chief, who has beensent by liis tribe to (Jarl.vsie, a^d 
then to Columbia, that he may return and imparl the wisdom of the Easi- 
Strong-heart tal^es a thoroug-h course in football, and wiieu he arrives at 
Columbia he is a crack halfback of the Morning-side team. 

The flrst act is laid in the rooms of Franic Nelson and Dick Livingston, 
also members of the team, Thorne. of the team, is jealous of Livin^'slon 
In order to plunge the latter into debt, he has wag-ered with him S;!(*tiU on 
the result of the approaching contest, and then plots to lose the g-ame lor 
his own eleven, by sending- a list of signals to the rival team. 

Act II is played in the teams' dressing room. Between halves the treach- 
ery is discovered. Strongheart is placed under suspicion and dismissed 
from his team. 

Victory follows, nevertheless, and the curtain falls on a scene of lejoicing. 

The next two acts are devoted more to the love interest in \he piay. 
Strong-heart declares his love for Dorothy Nelson, the captain's sister, and 
learns that while she loves him in return, the piejudice of her family and 
friends give emphatic objections to the marriage. 

Thorne is exposed as the traitor who divulged the signals and just as 
Dorothy and Strongheart have decided to marry despite family prejudices, 
a member of his tribe enters and announces the death of the young man't 

Black Eagle, the messenger, demands that Strongheart rpturn. assume 
the honor of chief, and discharge his debt to the tribe for the education 
they have given him. 

Wavering between love and, duty, Strongheart finally promises to throw 
aside his love and return to his people. 



CRITICISMS 

HERALD-NEW YORK. 

■' Strongheart" is a good, strong American play. 

PRESS-NEW YORK. 

Than " Strongheart" no more satisfying entertainment has been 
vouchsafed to us so far this year. 

EVENING SUN-NEW YORK. 

" Strongheart " has dramatic qualities which are startling and 
true. 

LIFE-NEW YORK. 

There is a delightful atmosphere about " Strongheart." 

HERALD-BOSTON, MASS. 

'■ Strongheart " is one of the greatest American plays ever written- 

"Strongheart" was played for three seasons by Robert Edrson, and for 
one season each by Ralph Stuart and Edgar Selwyn. The fact that 
almost all the characters are college boys and girls, makes the pre- 
vailing spirit of the play one of youth, and rtmders it particularly 
suitable to the needs of Amateur Dramatic Clubs and Organization*- 

The Cast is 17 males and 5 females. Plays a fnll evening. 



PRICE 50 CENTS. 



This play is subject to royalty >vhen produced. 



